By Edith Regalado
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – A delegation of Russian security and military officials met last night with President Duterte in what appeared to be part of preparations for the strengthening of ties between the Philippines and Russia – especially in defense and security.
Nikolai Patrushev, a close friend of Russian president Vladimir Putin and secretary of Moscow’s national security council, was received by Duterte at the Malacañang in the South guest house in Barangay Panacan. Details of the meeting were not released as of press time.
Meeting with security officials led by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Council adviser Hermogenes Esperson Jr. and Armed Forces chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Ano earlier yesterday, Patrushev offered the Philippines access to an intelligence database to help it fight crime and militancy, and training for the elite forces assigned to protect President Duterte.
Lorenzana said Russia had invited the Philippines to join a database-sharing system to help combat trans-national crime and terrorism, which he said could help track Islamist militants and their financial transactions.
Read the full story at The Philippine Star